Rhinebeck Museum trouble

My apologies Vintageav8r. From the first paragraph of your first post it sounded like you were someone else. I made this mistake because I automatically thought of the people that I saw helping out at the shows. That being said, you must be someone that helps out away from the Aerodrome, which would explain your opinion, and lack of first hand experience in dealing with those who are at the root of the problems. I have to say that it is a relief, because I didn't want to believe that the person I mistook you for was that blind.

(TO, CAT WITH A K, I GUESS I WASN'T THE ONLY ONE AROUND WHEN COLE WAS FEEDING THE LIVESTOCK)

I WANDERED INTO THE OLD RHINEBECK AERODROME ONE DAY AND THOUGHT I MIGHT BE ABLE TO GET THE NEWLY AQUIRED ROLLS ROYCE STARTED. I STAYED 14 YEARS.
THE ORA BECAME MY MAIN FOCUS. I SPENT ALL MY FREE TIME THERE,AS WOULD, MY SOON TO BE FAMILY. IN 1985 ,BOB THOLL ANNOUNCED THE BIRTH OF MY DAUGHTER TO THE SATURDAY CROWD. THIS FALL AFTER 3 SEASONS, SHE WAS TOLD SHE WAS FIRED. AS OF THIS WRITING NO ONE HAS GIVING HER AN EXPLAINATION AS TO WHY. SOUND FAMILIAR?
IF LETTING HER GO IS SOMEHOW CONNECTED WITH GETTING RID OF THE OLD GUARD, THAN WE ARE PROUD TO BE FROM "THE OLD GUARD".
IT HAS BEEN SAID TO LEAVE EMOTIONS OUT OF THIS DEBATE.
NO WAY! EMOTIONS ALONG WITH GOOD ECONOMICS ARE THE BASIC INGEDIENT FOR A SUCCESSFUL AND UNIQUE AERODROME.
I HAVE ALSO HEARD TALK OF THEME PARKS. IN MY OPINION THE ORA SHOULD BE TREATED MORE LIKE THE FAMILY FARM THAN SOME CORPERATION THAT HAS IT'S PRIORITIES BASED ON MAKING MONEY MORE THAN THE PRODUCT IT PRODUCES. THE ORA SHOULD BE OPERATING TO EDUCATE. NOT TO DAZZLE.
TWO OF COLE PALEN'S MOST FAMOUS PHRASES WERE "YOUNG TYPES" AND "NO PROBLEM". THE MAN LITERALLY TRIED TO MOVE A MOUNTIAN IN ORDER TO GO FORWARD.
I WONDER IF SOME OF THE" OLD TYPES" ARE THINKING "BIG PROBLEM"



HERE CAT!!!

Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome (ORA)

I have known Ken Cassens for over 30 years and he has always been one of the most honest and dependable persons that I know of.

After following the discourse on this web site , I don’t think the trustees running ORA realize that most of the skilled volunteers who get things done are available ONLY because Ken is their leader in the shop. These volunteers help with everything from pure muscle to highly skilled work, and some wives sew the fabric envelopes for recover projects. This makes Ken a team and not a single worker. In thanks for this the trustees micro manage to the point of harassment in my opinion, while praising those less skilled who, play their kind of roll.

I am glad that this mess came to a head at this time, as I was seriously considering moving to the Rhinebeck area and becoming more involved at the ORA.


AFFIDAVIT

I will NOT be volunteering to do anything at the ORA until:

1. The few remaining trustees who have not resigned, are replaced by trustees embracing the full scope of a museum with an airshow.

2. A sensible Charter that everybody understands is put in place.

3. Anyone who has damaged the image and good will of ORA within the local area and the general moral of the volunteers at ORA is permanently removed.

4. A proper director is installed with the interest and power to make the necessary changes.

Arnold B. Allison December 11, 2003


Obviously only a few affidavits sent to Mr. David W. Palmquist and others will have little impact, but a goodly bunch can and will bring about the needed change.

The question is not whether the ORA goes away, but whether the ORA continues to grow with the interest and love of antique aircraft OR whether it takes a turn toward a cheap carnival only interested in cash flow. Maybe regular entries here, of JUDGEMENT CALLS made by the people in question are in order. I predict that they will be good for a laugh, although they may be too disgusting.

Good post Here Cat! I couldn't agree more. Early in the morning when we would pull out airplanes for the air show, "Here Cat" would start up the old cars, and though that early in the morning there were few visitors, he would spark up conversations with those that were there, and get them involved in getting the old cars running. He would then take them for a ride. I remember watching how much fun those people were having, and amazed that they were made a part of what was going on. That is the kind of spirit that Cole had meant for the Aerodrome. That was the kind of thing that made the place. And that is what will keep it going for ever. The corporate ideals that the current administration have put into place will destroy the Aerodrome. Don't believe me? They are already starting to. No one goes to work at a corporation because it's a fun thing to do (at least if they are sane). They go there to make money to support themselves and their families. So why would volunteers want to spend their time at the Aerodrome if it's run like a corporation?
If the board members were truly interested in the success of the aerodrome why wouldn't they involve more people by making the board bigger? Why wouldn't they put Mr. Molinaro on the board, when he is more qualified to be there than the whole current board put together? He actually knows how to raise money. He has been in public service since he was 18. Became Mayor of Tivoli at 19, and has been Mayor for I think 10 years now. He will start his 3rd term as a member of the Dutchess County Legislature. He has raised about 6.5 Million dollars to restore a historic building in Tivoli. The board decided he needed to prove himself (how has the rest of the board proven themselves?) So they made him the head of the fund raising committee. Within a month or two he had a $25,000 donation to the Spirit fund from the Governor's office. The board only grumbled that he didn't get more. That's gratitude for you! He has still not been appointed to the board. The incompetence of these people is amazing!

[rc-notyme]

You hit the nail on the head Davis. The people that were offered rides or asked to lend a hand got so exited - they are so used to "look but don't touch" everywhere else they go.......
As for Mark Molinaro, well, he is just too damn competent and well informed - I believe they only want to use him for a cash cow until he either becomes like minded or a threat. Just my opinion you know.
As for past posts that mentioned "old guard vs new". Paul has been there since the beginning, Stanley for what, 30 years ? If that isn't "old" guard I don't know what is. I don't believe it is an old vs new problem. I believe there are several very probable scenarios and every one of them smells.
These have been discussed with the appropriate parties.
So many of the people that have been removed or driven out , particularly Tom, Steve, Ken, the Mackenzies ( I know there are many more) Owere (are) progressive, realistic and willing to preserve /promote the ideals that Cole practiced. Apparently this is a bad thing in some peoples minds.....
OLD RHINEBECK IS NOT A PRIVATE CLUB! It is a PUBLIC TRUST Anybody know when the next meeting is ?We must encourage as much PUBLIC attendance as possible. I am sure the board won't mind since there isn't anything to hide. I gotta stop now.

[Paul Revere]

A clarification, rc, Paul Richards hasn't been there since the beginning, he was there at the beginning, but pretty much disappeared a couple of years after the Snipe crash. Only in the last several years has he been involved again, and unfortunately with an outlook very different from Cole Palen's. As for Stanley, he has been around for a long time, and so has the least excuse for supporting the current fiasco. Don't understand it.

From all those board members that are reading this thread, I ask one thing. How about weighing in here? Lets get a good debate going. Maybe we can come to an understanding. Perhaps we can reach an agreement that we can all live with. If both sides of this issue are only interested in the best for the Aerodrome, then there is no reason we can't both compromise a little. I know that we have a difference of opinion, on what is best for the ORA, but perhaps the answer lies in no-man's land between our trenches. What have you got to lose? You must see from these messages where we are coming from, but we have no understanding of where you are coming from. Why don't you paint us a picture of what you are trying to accomplish. Maybe if this had been done a long time ago, we could have avoided this whole thing.

[mattyb]

i agree with davis it seems wierd that no one from the board has posted any comments It also seems wierd that i have e-mailed ora and stanley segalla and no one will get back to me has any body else been ignored by the current board ? Im a long time member and it kinda pisses me off that the wont return my e-mails. They have gotten back to me when i was donating something to the wish list or making a money donation i guess they dont care about a member thats concerned with the future of ora. Has anyone spoken with Ken Cassens?Just curious still concerned about the spirit project.

[rc-notyme]

Ok Paul Revere you got me on that one sorta. I still think Paul was there early enough and long enough to develope an understanding of what the place was all about - or not....... there just isn't any excuse for what he seems to be supporting.
Has anyone out there gotten a response from the A.G?

[Paul Revere]

Didn't mean to get you or anything rc, just saying that Paul was out of touch for many years after he crashed the Snipe, but I totally agree that there is no excuse for the way he and Stanley are acting. They should each know better.